Coy woke up from his sweet sleep just in time as the sun rose from the horizon. One of the things he appreciated about being reincarnated in Mundus was the ability to sleep peacefully.
On Earth, the last time he had such comfort was when he was in his cradle. Afterwards, it was all just missions after missions.
Sighing inwardly, he thought, 'Let's not sour the mood by thinking of the past.'
He got up from his bed and went to the bathroom in his room. A few minutes later, he came out of it with water skiing down his body. He chose his attire for the day in the wardrobe filled with a plethora of clothes, all belonging to him.
Fram had spared him the trouble of buying them himself as he stashed his wardrobe with clothes from Bellamy.
With matching black pants and shoes and a white shirt, it's sleeves he shortened, Coy went to the dining room.
Waiting for him on the long table was Aelfryn, who wore a different outfit than usual. Coy also took notice of the simple breakfast on the table, which consisted mainly of various types of soups, breads, and scrambled eggs. There was also a bottle filled with blood for him. There were also dishes he didn't know about.
He sat down on his chair opposite Aelfryn and started to enjoy his food while conversing with his fellow breakfast buddy.
"You're not wearing your usual?" he asked, addressing the elephant in the room.
"Yes, I'm off-duty today. Have you forgotten about our outing already?" Aelfryn questioned. He wore white shoes, beige pants, and a light blue open shirt that was over a white T-shirt. His long-sleeved shirt was folded.
As Coy looked at him, he reminded him of a modern-day model on Earth in how he was dressed.
Grabbing hold of a piece of bread near him, which he used to dip in the soup, Coy replied, "I'm just surprised to see you in something different, considering you always seem to wear the same robe in my period of knowing you."
Coy then proceeded to put the drenched bread, which gave off a sweet aroma, in his mouth. It was delicious, but a bit spicy for his taste buds. Nevertheless, he continued to munch on it.
Aelfryn laughed before focusing on his share of the food.
A quarter of an hour later, the duo had their fill. As if waiting around the corner, Fram walked towards Aelfryn and inquired, "Should I prepare the carriage, young master?"
Aelfryn wiped his mouth on the handkerchief next to him and thought for a moment before answering, "No, thank you. Coy would probably feel suffocated inside it, right?" He smiled as he looked at the person in question.
Coy nodded. "Yes. Instead of being cooped inside a carriage, it's better for me to walk around Bellamy and enjoy it personally."
Fram agreed with his notion as he said, "That's true, young master. I also personally think it's time for you to be familiar with the streets of Bellamy."
Aelfryn chimed in, suggesting, "Hmm, how about we walk now and ride the carriage later? The pavements in Bellamy are a bit crowded for a walk in the afternoon since it's the time when most of the people come back from a day of hard work, and stalls that sell fast foods are put up."
Coy thought for a second and replied, "Sure, we should do whatever you think is best for us."
Coy stood up from his seat and went to his room to pick up his storage ring. He had put all of his important belongings in it. The bracelet, the copper and silver ring, and the goatskin parchment. These artifacts were gifts from the vampire king, Eoghan.
He said to Aelfryn, who was also standing up, "I will be back in a minute. Would you mind waiting for me in the foyer?"
Aelfryn nodded with a smile and replied, "Sure, take your time."
***
In the foyer, Coy came down the stairs looking the same as he was in the dining room just a few minutes ago, only with the addition of a silver chain locked into his pants' belt lock, dropping to his right pocket.
Aelfryn was surprised by this since he assumed he left to put on a coat.
'Only a shirt? Does he feel hot, even though it rained last night?' he thought to himself in amusement.
He asked the question in his mind, "This is the first time I have seen you go out with only a shirt and nothing else on top of it?"
Coy walked up to him and said, "A change of pace."
Aelfryn raised his brow as he heard that. He shrugged and said, "Sure. Should we go now?"
Coy nodded. Walking together, they left the mansion as the smell of petrichor invaded their noses and the sun graced their little bits of bare skin.
The month of Heaven's tears was on the horizon, and arriving with it was its soothing rain.
***
The capital city of Ekiya was divided into two major districts: the noble district and the commoners' district, the latter being on the north while the other was more geared towards the south.
The noble's district was further divided into three separate regions; the outer district was mainly for wealthy merchants, officials with no nobility, and lower-ranking nobles.
The other remaining regions were the inner and core districts. The former was inhabited by high-ranking nobles, prominent figures of the kingdom of Ekiya like the headmistress of the Union Academy, and high-ranking officials with nobility. The latter was occupied by the royal family alone.
As for the commoner's district, it was an amalgamation of different regions: the market, residential buildings, entertainment venues, and many more. It was here that one of the main branches of the adventure guild, an organisation with a wide network that spanned across Mundus stationed.
Sitting at the center of the city was the light of the kingdom. The academy. It's neighbours being the outer noble district and the residential region of the commoner's district.
It was placed there so that in the event of an attack or invasion of the city, the academy would be able to support the lower-caste people of the city, who were the foundation of the kingdom.
Walking alongside Aelfryn, Coy let out words of praise: "The city is organised very well. But what if there was an attack in the south? Wouldn't the royal family be in a pinch?"
Aelfryn shook his head and responded, "I'm afraid not. The royal family's military power is something to be cautious about. Especially the three knight orders. I don't know if Fram told you, but he used to be part of those orders."
"I see… Are we close to the tailor shop you mentioned?" Impressed by the young butler's ability, Coy inquired about one of the main reasons for their outing today.
The duo were walking on the pavements of a street known for its fashion across the kingdom. The flowery street. Each tailor shop on this street lived up to the expectations of their customers, as all their products were of high quality.
Quite a few carriages of significant status, reined by stunning steeds, could be seen here and there. Coy was wondering if this amount of crowd was usual or not.
Aelfryn said with a weak smile, "I think so... My newly-found friend has not specifically mentioned where his shop is other than the name of the street. I have noticed you looking at these carriages; are you interested in their origins?" He asked.
Coy nodded with curiosity.
Aelfryn explained. "They are noble scions of the kingdom's surrounding cities or from other kingdoms. They're here for the same purpose as you, which is to get their student uniform."
Coy nodded in realisation before he was pulled by Aelfryn's relieved voice. "Look over there, that's the shop we are looking for."
Coy followed his gaze and noticed a green-colored two-story building. In the first story, there was a shop with the name Farz's tailor in cursive font. Next to the name was a drawing of a pair of scissors.
The duo walked up to the front of the store and entered the wooden black door. A bell rang, followed by a child's joyful voice: "Welcome!"
The place was filled with bundles of cloth. At the counter, a child who appeared to be five in age sat. Spots of freckles adorned her face as she smiled foolishly towards the pair who entered the store. Her brown hair was twisted into twin tails.
A voice could be heard from a door behind the counter, "Layla, customers?"
The child responded loudly while leaning her head towards the door, "Yess!"
With her sweet voice in tow, the door opened, but Aelfryn and Coy could only see a bald head who circled around the counter before revealing himself.
A stubby man with gold-laced rimless glasses came into view as he spoke. "Hello customers… Wait, you're that boy from Megan's trinkets! Hahahah, striking the iron while it's hot? You're here much earlier than I thought."
Farz spoke in surprise. He didn't expect his benefactor to come the next day after their promise.
Aelfryn smiled in response and said while placing his hand on Coy's shoulder, "Well a friend of mine was in need of a uniform for the academy, your promise still stands?"
Farz nodded with laughter.
Layla, who was watching this unfold before her, tilted her head in confusion.